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Envision Summit: ‘A Life-Changing Week’

Summit is an annual Envision (Alliance) leadership conference for young influencers.

Young leaders sought God and grew in their faith together at the recent Envision Summit in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, May 14–21. The goal of this intimate gathering of about 50 was to care for the participants’ souls and leadership skills.

“[The Summit was] a great way to connect with like-minded peers in a casual setting, yet have meaningful conversation and receive valuable information,” says Becky Lilly, 27, from Grove City, Pennsylvania.

This year’s Summit theme was “The Table.” Attendees were divided into cohorts to spend time conversing around the table as Jesus did so many times.

“We experienced spiritual family as God invited us to feast on Him throughout the week and engage in corporate times of worship,” says Britt Cooper, U.S. Envision trips coordinator.

Variety of Participants

Summit participants, who had to apply to attend, ranged from students to professionals with different faith journeys, backgrounds, and vocations. The variety of stories and perspectives they brought to the table added to the event’s richness.

“I was amazed with how God used my roommate and the people I met . . . to speak into my life and how we were able to encourage each other,” says Chelsea Baird, 24, from Colorado Springs, Colorado. “A lot of us seemed to be at the same place emotionally and spiritually. Jesus affirmed many things I had already been thinking about through the people and the sessions.”

Am I Being Faithful?

Some of the group’s favorite times were spent with David Hearn, Canadian Alliance president, and John Stumbo, U.S. Alliance president. These speakers challenged the group to not ask, “Am I doing enough?” in regards to serving the Lord but instead ask, “Am I being faithful in what I’m doing?” They encouraged the young people listening to practice healthy rhythms of Sabbath.

Corporate worship was a time of “feasting on God.” (Photo courtesy of Summit 2016 participant Carter Bergen)

Another key topic at the Summit was about waiting expectantly for the Holy Spirit to move. Tim Meier, U.S. director for Envision, shared that Spirit empowerment “comes from being in a position of willingness and waiting.” But first believers must ask, as David Hearn said, “Am I ignitable?” In other words, am I willing, expectant, and ready for the Holy Spirit to move?

CJ Casciotta, founder and executive producer of Sounds Like a Movement, helped the conference attendees write their mission statements and personal manifestos. He instructed them about how to move toward their dreams or callings.

Other presenters spoke about living missionally, “father wounds,” questions Jesus asked, being a church planter in a post-Christian context, and more.

“[The Summit] was an awesome opportunity to bond with other people who have similar passions. [It was] a great place for people who regularly pour themselves out to get filled up—a life-changing week,” Chelsea says.

The U.S. Envision staff is grateful for Ryan Graham, director of Envision Leadership Development for The Alliance in Canada, and his team, whose partnership and ownership were critical to the week’s success.